“This door will remain open,” Stefan said from the hall. “If you so much as–“
“I’d never do that,” Kyle protested, his voice strained.
I crossed to the door and pushed it slightly closed. “I will be fine.”
Stefan narrowed his eyes at me, his watchful gaze never left me.
“Nattie, you believe that I’d never hurt you right? I know your sister doesn’t trust me, but I’m not involved with your brother.”
I turned to face him, tears shining in my eyes. “I–“
His features pinched, and he pressed his lips together, his disappointment obvious.
I crossed to him, pressing my hands against his chest. “Oh, Kyle, I do believe you. Things are just so…tricky, right now.”
His expression remained hurt, breaking my heart. “And you can’t tell me any of it, right? State secrets and all of that.”
“I will tell you because I trust you. The reason we were so desperate to revive my father so soon was to protect the throne. My brother…he has a plan to steal it.”
Kyle offered me a confused glance. “What? How? Although, I will confess, I don’t really have any idea how these things work. I thought they always went to the oldest son.”
“Oh, dear, that’s ancient. The oldest, maybe, but my father disinherited Nikolai when he went to New York with my mother. That left me as the next in line for the throne.”
“Is he challenging that? Saying that your father didn’t disinherit him or couldn’t?”
My forehead creased, and I slid my eyes closed, not wanting to face my new life. “No, he…”
I heaved a sigh, threading my fingers through his. This would likely be the last tender moments we shared, and I didn’t want them to end. But he needed to know the truth, needed to know what I faced.
“He has found an outdated but relevant law that states that a female monarch must be married to ascend to the throne.” The words stuck in my throat, feeling bitter on my tongue as I spat them out.
“What?” Kyle asked, his confusion obvious. “Really? He can do that?”
I bit into my lower lip, trying not to cry. “He stands a decent chance as he has several councillorss on his side.
“The vote will come down to the wire. Overturning the law will be difficult. Unless my father returns before week’s end—when the vote is held—I will have no options remaining.”
I stepped back, my heart pulling painfully as I put distance between us. “I must be married in three days to keep my brother from taking control.”
Kyle stared at me, pain and confusion shifting across his face. “So…”
My voice trembled. The weight of it all settled in my chest. “My sister has prepared a list. We are to review it and…”
I couldn’t continue. I couldn’t bear to say the words aloud.
Silence stretched between us, tense and uncomfortable.
“And, uh, I suppose I didn’t make the cut,” Kyle said, his voice defeated.
I snapped my gaze to him. Would he actually consider marrying into this madness?
My lips parted as I stared at him.
Our gaze met, and he titled his head, questioning. “Am I?”
My lower lip bobbed a few times before I managed to form words. “Would it be something you would consider?”
His features turned incredulous, and he rushed toward me. “Nattie, of course. If I was given the opportunity, I’d take it in an instant.”
